Double-seaming machine



S. McCULLOCH.

DOUBLE SEAMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AN. 10. 1918.

1 AQQAQQL Patented Aug. 11, 1922.

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DOUBLE SEAMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1918- 1,42%,499, Patented Aug. 1, 1922.

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DOUBLE SEAMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1918.

Patented Aug. 1, 1922.

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Specification of Letters lPatent. Patented Aug. ll, 1922.

Application filed Sanuary 10, 1918. Serial No. 211,118.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, SAMUEL MCCULLOCH, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at the city and county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Double- SeamingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a double seaming machine.

One of the objects of the present invention is toprovide a double seamerwhich is par ticularly adapted for seaming differently shaped bodies,such as square, rectangular and oval shaped cans, and which is alsoadaptedto handle round cans of various sizes. Another object of theinvention is to provide a seaming machine in which cams, positivemovements and fine adjustments are practically eliminated, and in whichthe seaming members are movably actuated by the periphery of the can endto be seamed, Another object of the invention is to provide a floatingsupport for the seaming member and in conjunction therewith to providemeans for exerting a constant pressure on the seaming memberparticularly when seaming cans of difierent shapes. other object of theinvention is to provide a novel spindle structure and means forintermittently rotating the same in conjunction with the spindle cageand the can table.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combinationof parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, havingreference to the accompanyv ing drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a central,vertical section through the machine.

Fig. 2 is a cross section, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. '1.

Fig.3 is a plan view in cross section, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates the main base plate ofthe machine which, in the present instance, is supported upon a pedestalor foot frame generally indicated at 2. The base member A is hollow, asshown, to form a chamber for' the reception of the driving gears,generally indicated at'3 and 4, and also serves as the support for themain driving shaft '5 from which power is transmitted through a pair ofworm gears 6 and 7 to drive the gears 3 and The ear 3 is secured on avertically posltloned s aft 8, on the upper end of which is secured adriver 9 which actuates a Geneva disk 10. This disk is secured on thelower end of a sleeve 1? forminga part of the can-receiving table,generally indicated at 12. The Geneva drive shown serves the function ofintermittently rotat ing the can-receiving table and it also serves thefunction of intermittently rotating the spindle cage, generallyindicated at 13.

The can-receiving table and the spindle cage will, of course, move inunison and it is, therefore, necessary to provide an independent drivingshaft from which power may be transmitted to intermittently drive thespindles indicated at 14:. This is accomplished in the following manner:Secured on a center plate 15, forming a part of the table or base plateA, is a standard or column 16. Journaled in said standard is a shaft 17which is driven through the worm drive comprising the gears 4: and 7,and secured by means of a feather on the shaft,

These clutches are automatically thrown into engagement during theintermittent rotation of the spindle cage by means of a stationary cam22 secured on the upper end of the column 16; movement being transmittedfrom the cam to the lower clutch members 21 by levers 23, each of whichis pivoted, as'

at 24, in an arm forming part of a collar 25 secured in the lower partof the spindle cage. One end of each lever 23 is provided with. a roller26 which travels in constant engage ment with the cam 22, while theopposite end of each arm 23 is fork-shaped, as shown at 27, to straddlethe clutch members 21 and to engage pins 28 formed thereon. Thestationary cam 22 is of the hill and dale type, there being two risesand two depressions in the cam, as will hereinafter be described. It cantherefore be seen that during the rotation of the spindle cage when aroller strikes a depression in the cam it will rock the cooperatinglever 23 about its pivot 24,- thereby raising the clutch member 21 intoengagement with its cooperating member 20. A driving connection is thusformed which permits a rotary movement to be transmitted to the spindlewhen a seaming operation takes place. The cam maintains each clutch inengagement while the spindle is in alignment with the first operatlonseamer and while it is in alignment with the second operation seamer. Itthen automatically disengages, due to therises formed in the cam, topermit the can that has passed through the seaming rollers to dischargeand simultaneously to permit a new can to be admitted. I

The machine here shown is double in op eration; that is, it is providedwith two can feeding mechanisms generally indicated at 30 and two canremoving arms 31. Each spindle, therefore, handles two cans during eachcomplete revolution of the can table and spindle cage, thereby doublingthe capacity of the machine and also permlttlng a more perfect seamingoperation than is.

usually obtained, this being due to features I which will hereinafter bedescribed.

The seamer is provided with two first,operation.seaming rollers,generally indicated at 32, and two second operation seaming rollers,generally indicated at 33: These rollers are identical in constructionand mounting and form one of the important features of the' presentinvention. Each seaming roller may be termed a floating roller and itshould be observed that no .cams are required for their operation aseach seaming roller is movably actuated by the periphery of the can endto be seamed, this being particularly true when different shaped cans,such as square, rectangular or oval, are being handled.

The mounting of the seaming rollers is more particularly shown inFig. 1. It consists of "a cylinder 34, in which is slidably mounted apiston 35. Pivotally mounted on a wrist pin 36 carried by the piston isan arm 37, and journaled in the outer end of said arm'is a seamingroller 32. Secured to the inner end of the piston is a corrugatedflexible tube 38, the outer end of which is secured between an innervshoulder 39, formed on the c'ylinder,-and a cylinder head 40. Thismethod of securing the flexible tube permits air pressure to be exertedwithin the tube without any danger of leakage, air being supplied fromany suitable source, as'a tank orthe like, through means of a pipe 41which may be located in any suitable position. However, I prefer todivide the pedestal or base 2 into two separate air chambers asdiagrammatically indicated at 96 and 97 which may be charged from anysuitable source and to connect the first opx eration cylinders with onetank and thesecond operation cylinders with the opposite tank. This isof considerable importance as the last seaming operation enerallyrequires more pressure than the first seaming operation. By dividing thetanks and supplying the first operation cylinders with air from one tankand the second operation cylinders with air from the opposite'tank I itbecomes possible, for instance, to maintain thirty pounds pressure inthe first tank and thirty-five pounds pressure in the second tank, thispressure being regulated by any suitable means and dependent upon thepiston area exposed.

Each cylinder 34 is supported in a bracket 42 which is verticallyadjustable with rela-- tion to the table A by an adjusting screw 43, andeach cylinder is also longitudinally adjustable in a bracket proper byan adjusting screw 44. This is of importance as it 1 permits the seamingrollers to be adjusted roller revolves while the opposite end isprovided with an adjusting screw 47 which engages a pad formedon thecylinder.

Practically all adjustment, as far as the seaming rollers are concerned,after the machine has been set for acertain sized can, is taken careof'by the adjusting screws 47 that is, if, when the machine is firststarted, it is found that the seam is not sufficiently tight, it is onlynecessary to slightly release the screws 4:7 whichpermits the seamingroller to advance slightly with relation to the can or to exert morepressure thereon. Also if the seam is found too tight it is onlynecessary to tighten the screw and partly Withdraw the roller. In thisway it is possible to quickly adjust any seaming roller employed and asthe rollers are in a sense stationary particularly when operating onround cans and in a position where they may be conveniently reached theoperation of adjusting same is simple when comparedwith most machinesnow employed.

The pins 28, by which the lower spindle clutch members 21 are raised andlowered,

gagement with the clutch sections 20, as

these are continuously driven from the gear 18 through the gears 19. Itis therefore lee aeaaeee 1 necessary not only to throw the clutches 21into and out of engagement at predetermined intervals during therevolution of the spindle cage but it is also necessary to stop thespindles 14 against revolution when predetermined positions are reached,this being particularly true at the point where the can bodies are fedto the can table and when square or oval cans are being handled. Thenecessity for stopping the spindles in a predetermined position when acan is received can readily be appreciated when it is taken intoconsideration that a chuck 14 is secured on the lower end of eachspindle and that this chuck must positively register with a can when itis delivered to the table.

This positive and perfect register is obtained by forming an arm 50 oneach clutch member 21. The outer end of each arm 50 is provided with aroller 51 and this roller is adapted to engage a stationary cam memberconsisting of two sections 52 and 53 formed above the cam 22. Theclutches are thrown into engagement a moment previous to moving intoalignment with the first operation rollers 32 and they are continuouslyrevolved until they leave the second operation rollers 33. The clutchesare immediately thrown out of engagement when leaving the secondoperation rollers and they are also positively stopped at this time bythe cams 52 and 53 as the rollers 51, during the revolution of theclutch 21 and the movement of the cage, will strike the cams 52 and 53,thereby stopping the revolving movement ofthe spindles and also securingsame in predetermined positions.

This permits a can already seamed to discharge and permits a can to beseamed to be delivereddirectly under a spindle chuck 14* at the oppositepoints by the separate feeding mechanisms indicated at 30.

The operation will be as follows: With power applied to the drivingshaft 5, it can readily be seen that shaft 17 and the gears 18 and 19revolved thereby will be continuously operated as movement is constantlybeing transmitted through the worm drive, comprising the gearst and 7.It can also be seen that the can table 12 and the spindle cage willbeintermittently revolved through "the Geneva movement which is drivenby the gears 3 and 6.

A can with a top already placed thereon may, therefore, be delivered tothe can table by the feeding mechanism indicated at 30 when the tableand the spindle cage come to a stop and as the spindle chucks arestanding at rest at this position and in absolute alignment with thecans it is possible to obtain perfect register. The. operation of thefGeneva movement will then move the can table and the spindle cage to aposition in alignment with the first operation rollers 32, the cansbeing raised into engagement with release the clutches and also to lowerthe the spindle chucks 14 during this movement b cam members 60 formedon to of the tab e A which engage rollers formed on the lower end ofplungers 61. These plungers serve the'function of raising the cans intoengagement with the spindle chucks and the cans are, therefore, rigidlyclamped between the plungers 61 and the chucks 14 when the firstoperation rollers are reached. The cam 22'has simultaneously thrown theclutch members 20 and 21 into engagement, thereby bringing the spindlesup to the desired speed when the rollers 32 are reached. The table andspindle cage remain sta tionary at this point until the first seamingoperation has been performed; The Geneva movement will againpartlyrotate the can table and the spindle cage and bring the cans intoregister with the second operation rollers 33 where the final seamingoperation is performed. Both the cage and the can table remainstationary at this point due to the intermittent action of the Genevamovement and it should also be understood that a second'set of cans isbeing operated upon by the first operation rollers and that new cans tobe seamed are simultaneously being delivered by the feed mechanism 30.The next operation of the Geneva movement turns the can table and thespindle cage to the arm 31 where the seamed cans are discharged;movement being transmitted during this portion of the revolution of thecan table and cage from cams 22 and 60 to plunger 61, thus releasing thecans to per-fir mit them to freely discharge. The rollers 51simultaneously engage their respective cams 52 and 53, thus stopping thespindles from revolving and also securing the same in a position wherethe chucks 143 will be in perfect register with the cans delivered bythe feeding mechanisms 30.

The seamer is capable of continuous operation and a double outputinasmuch as it simultaneously receives two cans, discharges two cans andalso permits both the first and second operation rollers to operate inunison on their respective sets of cans. A comparar tively large numberof cans may in this man- I ne-r be handled per minute, while there-volution and seaming speed of the rollers .32 and 33 may becomparatively slow; the machine being subjected tocomparatively littlevibration under these conditions as the intermittent speed tramsmittedthrough the Geneva movement may only behalf of an ordinary seamer if thenumber of cans desired does not have to exceed that of an I ordinary,machine and a slightincrease in speed will, of course, immediately beginto increase the output, double the output bein obtained the moment thespeed of the eneva movement reaches that of an ordinary seamer.

The gear transmission here shown is practically all located below thebase plate of the machine, thus bringing the weight down and steadyingthe machine and as all the gears may be perfectly enclosed and housedwithin thebase plate, it can readily be seen that it may be packed withgrease or other lubricant to permit a perfect lubrication of therevolving parts. By using a worm drive such as shown it becomes possibleto employ a high speed driving shaft. The. driving pulleys may,therefore, be lighter and the belting narrower, in this way reducing themain shaft pulleys and overhead gear to a considerable extent.

The construction shown also permits the machine to be readily adjustedfor different sized cans, the only operation required being that ofchanging the'spindlechucks 14 to raise the spindle cage which isaccomplished by removing a key 70 and turning the cage which will eitherrise or fall, due to the threads 71 formed onthe lower sleevelikeextension of the cage, the cage being secured in its adjusted positionby again insertingthe key 7 0. If the height of the can is increased, itis only necessary to adjust the screws 43 to raise the seaming rollersinto alignment with the can ends to be seamed and if the diameter isincreased or decreased it is only necessary to adjust the screws 44which move the cylinders 34 to or away from the spindles. ment, as faras the seaming rollers are concerned, is taken care of by the screws 47.

The spindles employed are held firmly in place by a ball bearing 72.

gas

One of the important. features of the present invention is theapplication of pneumatic pressure for the purpose of holding the seamingrollers in operating position. This is very important particularly whenhandling square or oval cans as it permits the rollers and the pistonsto yield or freely reciprocate within the cylinders when the cans arebeing revolved by the spindles during the seaming operation. Thepressure on the rollers remains, practically speaking, constant as thepipes 41 supplying the flexible tubes 38 with air are connected withcomparatively large reservoirs or tanks either formed on the base asdescribed or located at any convenient point; that is, a slight rearwardmovement of the piston will, of course, compress the air toa certainextent, but as the volume is large the pressure is not noticeablyaffected and it may, therefore, be stated that a constant pressure ismaintained on' each seaming roller and that the pressure on one set ofrollers may be different from another set as the different rollers areconnected to separate sources of supply. Thls is also important, aspreviously described, as it' is often necessary to j, exert morepressure on one roller than on The final adj ustanother and as thepressure in either in= stance may be adjusted to a nicety it has beenproven that themost perfect seaming operation is permitted.

Thereare only four seaming rollers employed in the present instance andas these rollers operate on eight spindles sixteen finished cans perrevolution of the table are obtained. here endwise pressure is exertedit is taken care of by ball thrust bearings. For instance, the verticaldriving shaft 17 is supported by a ball or button bearing 80, thespindle cage and can table are supported upon a ball race 81, eachplunger or can plate 61 is supported bya ball or button bearing 82, andeach spindle is secured against endwise movement by the ball thrusts 72,similar thrust bearings being interposed betweeneach clutch member 21and the collars 21.

The friction produced by end thrust and also by revolving the differentparts of the machine is in this manner reduced to a minimum, therebydecreasing the actual driving power required to at minimum and at thesame time pr oviding a construction which will practically lastindefinitely as any wear produced may be readily taken up whereverrequired.

The provisions of the flexible tubes 38 in the cylinders 34 is not anabsolute necessity as it' is possible to provide the pistons with ringsand to apply the air pressure directly within the cylinders. Theflexible tubes 38, however, are preferable as they form a flexible airconnection between the pistons and the source of supply which may beperfectly airtight, thus eliminating the necessity of employing acontinuously operating air compressor and automatic relief valves formaintaining predetermined pressures after these have once beenascertained. While a specific driving mechanism is here shown, as far asthe can table, spindle cage and the spindle proper are concerned, I wishit understood that any other suitable form of drive may be employed andalso that the materials and finish of the several parts of the machinemay be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer maydictate. a

While no specific mechanism has been described for the purpose ofremoving the cans when seamed from the spindle chucks, I wish itunderstood that any suitable means may be provided. For instance, aplunger 90 may be centrally positioned within each spindle andreciprocally mounted therein, each plunger being normally held in araised position by a spring 91 and depressed when moving into engagementwith a stationary cam 92. This cam may be supported directly by thestationary bed plate or by any other suitable means, and in the presentinstance the machine should have two cams so that two cans may besimultaneously released and discharged. Having thus described myinvention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Ina seaming machine the combination with a spindle adapted to receive andrevolve a can, of a floating seaming member adapted to engage the flangeon the can to seam the same and adapted to move radially with relatiohthereto, said radial movement of the seaming member being impartedthereto by the periphery of the can, means for maintaining apredetermined spacing between the seaming member and the can, and meansfor maintaining a predetermined and constant pressure on the seamingmember re gardless of the positions assumed during its radial movement.Y

2. In a seaming machine the combination with a spindle adapted toreceive and revolve a can, of a floating seaming member adapted toengage the flange on the can to seam the same. Said seaming memberhaving a radial movement imparted thereto by the periphery of the can,means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the seaming memberand the can, and pneumatically actuated means for maintaining acontinuous and constant pressure on the seaming member 4. In a. seamingmachine, the combination with a revolving spindle cage and a spindlejournaled therein adapted to receive and re volve acan, of a pair ofcooperating seaming members mounted in the path of travel of thespindle, and a yielding pneumatic mounting for each seaming member toper-.

mit each seaming member to' be independently actuated by the peripheryof the can, said yielding mounting also adapted to maintain a constantpressure on the seaming member. I i

5. In a seaming machine, thecombination with a revolving spindle cageand. a spindle journaled therein adapted to receive and revolve a can,of a pair of cooperating, seaming members mounted in the path of travelof the spindle, a yielding mounting for each seaming member to permiteach seaming member to be independently actuated by the periphery of thecan, and pneumatic means for maintaining a constant pressure on eachseaming member, said pressure being greater on one than on the other. v

6. In a seaming machine, the combination with a revolving spindle cageand a spindle 'journaled therein adapted to receive and re? volve a can,of a pair of cooperating seaming members mounted inthe path of travel ofthe spindle, a yielding mounting for each seaming member to: permit eachseaming member to be independently actuated by the periphery of the can,pneumatic means for maintaining a constant pressure on each seamingmember, said pressure being greater on one than on the other, andindependent means for regulating the pressure on each seaming member. lI

7-. A seaming machine comprising a main frame, a can receiving table, aspindle cage,

a plurality of spindles journaled, in the-cage,

means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table and spindlecage in unison,

a plurality of seaming members movable on' a horizontal plane with whichthe spindles are adapted to register, means for revolving 9,0

the spindles when in register with the. seaming members and pneumaticactuated means for maintaining a constant pressure on the seamingmembers.

'8. A seaming machine comprising a main frame, a can receiving table, aspindle cage,

a plurality of spindles journaled in the cage, I

means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table'and spindlecage inunison, a plurality of stationary seaming members with which thespindles are adapted to register, a. yielding pneumatic mounting for theseaming membersfand means for revolving the spindles when registerwiththe'seaming members. a j J 9. A seaming machine comprising a mainframe, a can receiving table, a spindle cage, a plurality of'spindlesjournaled in the cage, means for intermittently rotating the canreceiving table and" spindlecage in'unison, a plurality of stationaryseaming members with which the spindles are adapted to register, ayielding mounting for each seaming member .to permit each seamingmemberto be movably actuated by the periphery ofthe can to :beiseamed, meansfor maintaining a constant pneumatic pressure on each seaming member,and-means for revolvin'g the spindles when in register with the seamingmembers.

frame, 'a can receiving table, a spindle cage, a plurality of spindlesjournaled in the cage, means for intermittently rotating the canreceiving table and spindle cage in unison,

a plurality of stationaryseaming members with which the spindles areadapted to register, a yielding mounting for each seamingmember topermit each seaming member to be independently actuated by the periph-130 a 12o 10. A seaming machine comprising a main erting a constant airpressure on each yieldunison, a

ing mounting, and means for revolving the spindles when in register withthe seaming members.

11. A seaming machine comprising a main frame, a can receiving table, aspindle cage, a plurality of spindles journaled in the cage, means forintermittently rotating the can receiving table and spindle cage inplurality of stationary seaming members with which the spindles areadapted to register, a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocally mountedpiston in each cylinder, a connecting rod pivotally mounted in eachpiston forming a carrier for each seaming member, means for exerting aconstant ressure on each piston to permit each piston carrying a seamingmember to be movably actuated by the periphery of the can to be seamed,and means for revolving each spindle when in register with each seamingmember.

12. A seaming machine comprising a mainframe, a can receiving table, aspindle cage, a plurality of spindles, journaled in the cage, means forintermittently rotating the can receiving table and spindle cage inunison, a plurality of stationary seaming members with which thespindles are adapted to register, a-plurality of cylinders, areciprocally mounted piston in each cylinder, a connecting rod pivotallymounted in each piston forming a carrier for each seaming member, andmeans for exerting a constant fluid pressure on each piston member topermit each piston and seaming member carried thereby to be movablyactuated by the periphery of the can to be seamed.

13.] A seaming machine comprising a main frame, a stationary columnmounted in the frame, a can receiving table journaled .to rotate aboutsaid column, a spindle cage also journaled to rotate about the column,means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table and thespindle cage in unison, a plurality of spindles journaled in the spindlecage, a plurality of seaming members movable on a horizontal planecarried by the main frame with which the spindles are adapted toregister during the intermittent movement of the spindle cage and canreceiving table, means for transmitting a revolving movement to thespindles when in register with the seaming members and pneumaticactuated means for maintaining a constant pressure on the seamingmembers journaled to rotate about the column, means for intermittentlyrotating the can receiving table and the spindle cage in unison, aplurality of spindles journaled in the spindle cage, a plurality ofstationary seaming mem-' bers carried'by the main frame with which thespindles are adapted to register during the intermittent movement of thespindle cage and can receiving table, means for transmitting a revolvingmovement to the spindles when in register with the seaming members, andmeans for positively locking the spindles against revolving movementwhen out of register with the seamingmemhere.

cage and can receiving table, a continuously revolving drive shaftjournaled interiorly of the stationary column, means for transmitting acontinuous revolving movement from said shaft to a driving memberturnably mounted on each spindle, a clutch on each spindle, and meansfor automatically throwing said clutches into and out of engagement withthe driving members on the spindles to intermittently rotate each.spindle.

16. A seaming machine comprislng a main frame, a stationary columnmounted in the frame, a can receiving table journaled to rotate aboutsaid column, a spindle cage also journaled to rotate about the column,means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table and thespindle cage in unison, a plurality of spindles journaled in the spindlecage, a plurality of stationary seaming members carried by the mainframe with which the spindles are adapted to register during theintermittent movement of the spindle cage and can receiving table, acontinuously revolving drive shaft journaled interiorly of thestationary column, a gear secured on said shaft, a gear turnably mountedon each spindle intermeshing with said gear and adapted to becontinuously revolved by said gear, a clutch member on each spindlegear, a second clutch member slidably mounted on a feather oneachspindle, and means for au-' tomatically throwing said clutches intoand out of engagement to intermittently rotate the spindles.

17. A seaming machine comprising a mam frame. a stationary columnmounted inthe frame. a can receiving table journaled to rotil-t6 aboutsaid column, a spindle cage also journaled to rotate about the column,means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table and thespindle cage in unison, a plu rality of spindles journaled in thespindle the intermittent movement of the spindle cage and can receivingtable, a continuously revolving drive shaft journaled interiorly of thestationary column, a gear secured on said shaft, a gear turnablymountedon each spindle intermeshing with said gear and adapted to becontinuously revolved by said gear, a clutch member on each spindlegear, a second clutch member slidably mounted on a feather on eachspindle, a rocker arm pivotally mounted adjacent to each spindle,

one end of each rocker arm being pivotally connected with the last namedclutch members and the opposite end of-each arm having a roller, and astationary cam.member carried by the column with which each rollerengages to automatically move the spindle clutches into and out ofengagement with each. other.

18-. A seaming machine comprising a main frame, a stationary columnmounted in the frame, a can receiving table journaled to rotate aboutsaid column, a spindle cage also journaled to rotate about the column,means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table and thespindle cage in unison, a plurality of spindlesjournaled in the spindlecage, a plurality of stationary seaming members carried by the mainframe with which the-spindles are adapted to register during theintermittent movement of the" spindle cage and can receiving table,means for transmitting a revolving movement to the spindles when inregister with-the seaming members, and means for positively locking thespindles against revolving movement when out of register with theseaming members, said means also adapted to positively stop each spindleso that it will assume a predetermined position with relation to a canto be seamed when this is delivered to the machine. I

19. A seaming machine comprising a main frame, a stationary columnmounted in the frame, a can receiving table journaled to rotate aboutsaid column, a spindle cagealso j ournaled to rotate about the column,means for intermittently rotating the can receiving 1 table and thespindle cage in unison, a plurality of spindles journaled in the spindlecage, a plurality of stationary seaming members carried by the mainframe with which the spindles are adapted to register during theintermittent movement of the spindle cage and can receiving table, meansfor transmitting a revolving movement to the spindles when in registerwith the seaming members, means for positively looking the spindlesagainst revolving movement when out of register with the seamingmembers, said means also adapted to positively stop each spindle so thatit will assume a predetermined position with relation to a can to beseamed when this is delivered to the machine, means for securing eachspindle against endwise movement, a spindle chuck secured on the lowerend of each spindle,

means for delivering cans to be seamed to the can receiving table, andmeans for raising each can into engagement with a spindle chuck.

20. A seaming machine comprising a main frame, a stationary columnmounted in the frame, a can receiving table journaled to rotate aboutsaid column, a spindle cage also journaled to rotate about thecolumn,.means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table andthe spindle cage in unison, a'plurality of spindles journaled in thespindle cage, a plurality of stationary seaming members carried by themain frame with which the spindles are adapted to register during theintermittent movement of the spindle cage and can receiving table, meansfor transmitting a revolving movement to the spindles when in registerwith the seaming members, means for positively locking the spindlesagainst revolving movement when out of register with the seamingmembers, said means also adapted to positively stop each spindle so thatit will assume a predetermined position with relation to a can to beseamed when this is delivered to the ma- 10 chine, means for securingeach spindle against endwlse movement, asplndle chuck secured on thelower end of each spmdle,

means for delivering cans to be seamed to the can receiving table, meansfor raising each can into engagement with a spindle chuck, said meanscomprising a stationary cam track formed on the main frame, a pluralityof plungers carried by the can'receiving table, and a roller carried byeach plunger engageable with the stationary cam track to raise and lowerthe plungers.

21. The combination with a spindle cage in a seamingmachine, of aplurality of spindles journaled in the spindle cage, a drivingmember'turnably mounted on each spindle, means for continuously rotatingsaid driving members, a clutch member slidably mounted on a feather oneach spindle, a spindle chuck on each spindle, means for automaticallythrowing each clutch into engagement with the driving member to rotateeach spindle, and means for positively lock- 7 position when thespindles are remaining at rest.

22. The combination with a spindle cage in a seaming machine, of aplurality of spindles journaled in the spindle cage, a driving memberturnably' mounted on each spindle, means for continuously rotating saiddriving members, a clutch member slidably mounted on a feather on eachspindle, a spindle chuck on each spindle, a cam member adapted toautomatically moveeach clutch member into and out. of engagement witheach driving member to intermittently rotate each spindle, a second cammember, and a radially projecting arm on each clutch member adapted toengage said last named cam to positively lock each spindle againstrotation.

'23. The combination with a spindle cage and the spindles journaledtherein, of means for delivering a can to each spindle, a seaming membersupport comprising a cylinder. a piston reciprocally mounted in thecylinder. a connecting rod pivot'ally mounted in the piston, a seamingroller journaled to rotate on the connecting rod, a flexible tubingsecured to the inner end of the piston, and means for maintaining aconstant fluid pressure within the flexible tubing.

2-1:. In a seaming machine, a stationary frame. a can receiving table.journaled to rotate in the frame. a spindle cage also journaled torotate in the frame, a plurality of spindles journaled in the spindlecage, means for intermittently rotating the can receiving table and thespindle cage in unison, a pair of stationary first operation seamingrollers carried by the stationar frame and positioned diametricallyopposite to each other, a pair of stationary second operation seamingrollers carried by the stationary frame and also positioneddiametrically opposite to each other, means for delivering a pair ofcans to the can receiving table at points diametrically opposite to eachother, means for revolving the spindles when assuming positions inalignment with the seaming rollers. means for maintaining the spindlesat rest when out of alignment with the seaming rollers. and means fordischarging cans at diametrically opposite points.

:25. In a seaming machine, a can receiving table. a spindle cage mountedabove the table. a plurality of spindles journaled in the spindle cage.a spindle chuck on each spindle. means for delivering a pair of cans inunison to the can receiving table, means for raising the cans intoengagement with the spindle chucks in unison, means for transmitting astep by step movement to the spindle cage and can receiving table sothat the cans when received may be moved into alignment with a pair ofstationary first operation seaming members, means for rotating thespindles in alignment with the first operation seaming members. a pairof second operation seaming members with which the spindles are alsoadapted to align, means for continuously revolving the spindles while inalignment with the first and second operation seaming members, means forpositively locking the spindles against rotation during the remainingmovementof the can receiving table and spindle cage, and means fordischarging a pair of cans in unison.

26. A seaming member comprising a piston, a cylinder in which saidpiston is reciprocally mounted and guided, a connecting rod pivotallycarried by the piston, '21 seaming roller journaled in the outer endofsaid connecting rod, a bell crankpivotal-ly attached to the cylinder,a pivotal connection bet-ween one end of the bell crank and theconnecting rod, an adjusting screw carried by the opposite end of thebell crank adapted to limit the outward movement of the piston, andmeans for exerting a constant pressure on the piston.

27. A seaming member comprlslng a p1ston, a cylinder in which saidpiston is re-.

ciprocally mounted and guided, a connecting rod pivotally carried by thepiston, a seam ing roller journaled'in the outer end of said connectingrod, a bell' crank pivotally attached to the cylinder, a pivotalconnection between one end of the bell crank and the connecting rod, anadjusting screw carried by the opposite end of the bell crank adapt I edto limit the outwardmovement of the piston, and means for. exerting aconstant fluid pressure on the piston.

28. A seaming member comprising a piston, a cylinder in which saidpiston is reciprocally mounted and guided, a connecting rod pivotallycarried by the piston, a seam-.

the piston, a stationary head to which the opposite end of the tube issecured, and a pipe connected at one end with said head and at theopposite end with a tank which is adapted to contain a fluid underpressure.

29. In a seaming machine, arevolving spindle cage, a spindle journalledtherein and adapted to receive and revolve a can, a cylinder mountedadjacent the path of travel of the spindle, a piston in the cylinder,means for exerting a constant fluid pressure thereon and a seamingroller supported by the piston engageable wlth the can. i

30. In a seaming machine, a revolving spindle cage, a spindle journalledtherein and adapte to receive and revolve a can, a cylinder mountedadjacent the path of travel of the spindle, a piston in the cylinder,means for exerting a constant fluid pressure thereon and a seamingroller supported by the piston engageable with the can, and adjustablemeans for limiting the outward movement of the piston in the cylinder.

31. In a seaming machine, a revolving spindle cage, a spmdle journalledtherein and adapted to receive and revolve a can, a

cylinder mounted adjacent the path of travel of the spindle, a piston inthe cylinder, means for exerting a constant fluid pressure thereon and aseaming roller supported by the piston engageable with the can, andmeans for adjusting the position of the cylinder radially with relationto the spindle cage. j

32. In a seaming machine, a revolving spindle cage, a spindle journalledtherein and adapted to receive and revolve a can, a cylinder mountedadjacent the path of travel of the spindle, a piston in the cylinder,means for exerting a constant fluid pressure thereon and a seamingroller supported by the piston engageable with the can, means foradjusting the position of the cylinder radially with relation to thespindle cage, and means for adjusting the vertical osition of thecylinder with relation to the spindle cage.

33. ln-a seaming machine, a revolving spindle cage, a spindle journalledtherein and adapted to receive and revolve a can, a

cylinder mounted adjacent the path of travel of the spindle, a piston inthe cylinder, means for exerting a constant fluid pressure thereon and aseaming roller supported by the piston engageable with the can, meansfor adjusting the position of the cylinder radially with relation to thespindle cage, means for adjusting the vertical position of the cylinderwith relation to the spindle cage, and adjustable means for limiting theoutward movement of the pising rod in each piston forming a support foreach seaming member, means for exerting a constant fluid pressure oneach piston to permit each piston carrying a seaming member to be guidedby the periphery of the can to be seamed, and means for revolving eachspindle when in register with each seaming member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL MQCULLOCH.

Witnesses THos. CAs'rBERe, C. H. MULLEN.

